Chapter 6

Ivypool

Ivypool woke up when she heard a scream.
"Mistyfoot disappeared!"
She stepped slowly out of her nest.

"What is it now?" Hawkfrost moaned when she tripped over his paws.
"Sorry. Mistyfoot disappeared." she explained. The tom immediately got up.
"That's great news!" he purred.
"Excuse me?" Ivypool said.
"She was deputy. What do you think will happen if she goes missing? She'll be replaced."
"I don't know why I have forgotten that you're heartless." Ivypool glared.
"Mistyfoot isn't hurt, if you were worried about that. And you should watch your tongue." he growled, then continued more quietly: "You are speaking to RiverClan's new deputy."
"Mange-breath!" She turned her head away.

Hawkfrost snorted. "I will enjoy watch you suffer."
"That won't happen."
"Do you really think? There are many hunting patrols, there's dawn patrol, midnight patrol, sun-high patrol, anything you can imagine. Too bad I can't cut you into more pieces and send you out on all of them!" He sighed dramatically. "But I think I can't send you on a hunting patrol either, especially with cats who can fish. You would feel so jealous that they have an ability you don't!" he mocked her.
"Me! Jealous of cats who can fish! I think you should rather visit the medicine cat because you are hallucinating!" she hissed. The tom's eyes flashed, and he let out a growl.
"I suggest you to act as if you were a RiverClan cat!" he warned quietly.

Then he turned around and left. Ivypool hissed and followed him outside. Other cats were already there, and a spotted she-cat yowled.
"Let all cats old enough to swim gather!"
Ivypool narrowed her eyes. Is that Leopardstar?, she asked herself.

A cat appeared at Ivypool's side. "Hey! Mind if I join you?"
She glanced to the cat and recognized Mothwing.
"No, of course not. Did… did you know Hawkfrost thinks he will be appointed as the new deputy?" she asked hesitantly.
"I know, I know! He only wants to serve his clan."
"I know, but he shouldn't be so sure about this!"
"He only wants to prove he is just as good as any other cat, despite that our father is T-" the she-cat cut herself off. "He wants to show everyone that even if he's not clanborn, he is still a great warrior." she murmured. Then she added quietly. "Remember when he told you about Tadpole? Hawkfrost still misses him. I think... that he wants to prove himself that he can live without him."
Who is Tadpole? Ivypool almost asked. And why couldn't Hawkfrost be able to live without him? He wants to be the deputy, why are telling me stuff from some cat I don't even know?
"Oh. I.. just worry about him." she lied. She couldn't see the connection between Tadpole and Hawkfrost.
"There's no need for that." Mothwing purred. "He can take care of himself."
The silver-tabby gave her a curt nod. You have no idea.

Hawkfrost

Hawkfrost stood next to his leader; she appointed him to be her temporary deputy, as long as they don't know anything from Mistyfoot. The tom knew she was going to come back, but he hoped that that changed...

After Leopardstar had dismissed the meeting, he organized the patrols, then padded to Ivypool and Mothwing.
"Hello." He sat down. His sister purred loudly.
"I'm so proud of you! Congratulations!"
"Thanks." He turned his gaze to Ivypool, giving her a look that told her to say something like that too. She got the message and faked a smile.
"Congratulations! You've earned it." She mewed. "Can you tell me which patrols I'm in?" she added, eyes flashing.
"Hunting patrol with me."
"Again?" she moaned and Mothwing snickered.
"Indeed. I expect you to catch more prey this time!" he grinned gloatingly.

Hawkfrost and Ivypool went to the river. The tom wanted to test her swimming skill -he had taugt her how to fight in water, but he knew the murky river of the Dark Forest was nothing like the one in RiverClan's old, and in its new territory. And while she learned, she could also catch a few fishes. If she was good enough, of course.

"Hawkfrost?" Ivypool called his name before he could explain what he wanted to do.
"Huh?" he twitched an ear, stepping close to the river and watching his prey move.
"Who's Tadpole?" Ivypool asked. The tom span around.
"Where did you hear that name?" he hissed at her. The she-cat growled.
"Mothwing! And she said you already told me about him." She narrowed her eyes.
"No, I didn't."
"Well then maybe it's time."
Hawkfrost growled loudly. "Tadpole was my brother."
"Was?" Ivypool asked.
"He's dead." he snarled.
"Oh. And..." the silver-and-white tabby struggled with her words. "How did he die?"
"He drowned." the tom growled. Images of Tadpole's death flashed in front of his eyes and his fur began to rise. Ivypool stayed silent for a while.
"How old were you when he died?" she asked quietly. Hawkfrost didn't notice she was standing next to him.
"Five or six moons old. I can't remember." he grumbled.

After a heartbeat of stillness he turned his head to her. "Why do you want to know, anyway? It's none of your business." he said quietly, but his voice contained a dangerous edge.
"Hawkfrost." Ivypool sighed. The tom could tell she had enough of his attitude; she didn't argue, she didn't growl back, she didn't threaten him.
The silver-and-white tabby simply moved close to him and brushed her tail along his back. Hawkfrost almost flinched from the affectionate touch. What did she want to get with her kindness? He didn't need her sympathy. He wasn't a kit!
"I'm sorry for that, you fishbrain." Ivypool mewed. The brown tabby didn't look at her, so she probably couldn't see his frown. He couldn't decide if she was honest or not. And he didn't care anyway.
"At least you learned something." he replied, referring to her calling him a fishbrain. He heard Ivypool sigh again, but that one was so quiet he had barely heard it.
"You're hopeless." she declared and moved away from him.

Hopeless? No. She was hopeless, not him! Did she really think he would sit here and discuss his feelings with her? Did she ever notice he was a tom, and not a she-cat? Hawkfrost had to force himself not to make any sound.
"Whatever." he said at last. "And now we're going to test what you know about swimming." he told her, feeling triumph at her unenthusiastic expression. This should be good.